Fluid Specimen Cup with Position Stabilizer for Safe Drug Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid collection devices for drug testing expose technicians to urine and risk contamination during sample transfer, as they require manual handling and opening of the collection cup.
Innovation Solution
A fluid collection device with a cup and rotatable lid featuring a position stabilizer that prevents rolling when tilted, allowing for secure alignment of the lid's opening with the stabilizer to direct fluid to the test strip without exposing the technician, and a releasable lock to maintain this position, reducing the internal volume requirement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual handling and opening of the collection cup is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the technician is exposed to urine and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a collection cup for urine storage, a lid with test strip compartment, and a positioning mechanism. This segmentation allows the test strip to be isolated from direct urine contact while maintaining functionality, reducing exposure risk without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid communication system that allows urine to reach the test strip without direct exposure. The tilted positioning and controlled fluid path act as intermediaries, enabling automated testing while protecting the technician from harmful factors
2Ease of operation
If the cup is opened to transfer fluid samples, then the transfer process becomes possible, but the urine sample is exposed to potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip is pre-positioned in the lid compartment before fluid transfer occurs. The device is pre-configured with the test strip in place, and the tilted positioning is established beforehand, allowing fluid to be directed to the test strip without opening the cup or risking contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The test strip is extracted from the main fluid path and placed in a separate compartment in the lid. This extraction allows the test function to occur in an isolated environment, preventing contamination of the main urine sample while still enabling fluid transfer to the test strip through controlled communication channels
3Ease of operation
If the lid is rotatable to facilitate fluid communication, then fluid flow to test strip is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to be rotatable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the device orientation. This dynamic feature enables the tilt portion to be positioned correctly for fluid communication while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through the use of a releasable lock mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes change in orientation as a parameter to enable fluid communication. By rotating the lid to a specific angular position, the tilt portion aligns with the cup opening, allowing gravity-driven fluid flow without requiring complex pumping or pressurization mechanisms
4Stability of the object's composition
If the position stabilizer is added to prevent rolling, then the device stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position stabilizer creates an asymmetric configuration with a tilt portion and stabilizing features that prevent rolling. This asymmetric design provides stable positioning when tilted but adds minimal structural complexity, as it primarily involves geometric modifications to the cup and lid shapes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device ensures safe and contamination-free testing by stabilizing the cup and directing fluid to the test strip without manual handling, reducing the volume of urine needed for testing and preventing spillage.
Implementation Method 1
The position stabilizer is configured to prevent the cup from rolling when the cup is titled to rest the stabilizer against a generally horizontal surface
Implementation Method 2
direct fluid within the cup towards the opening in the lid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A drug test device for bodily fluids, such as urine, includes a cup and a removable lid which houses one or more test strips. The lid is releasably locked onto the cup so as to align dipping ends of the test strips exposed through an underside of the lid with a position stabilizer, thereby causing the dipping ends to be located downwardly and submerged in fluid when the device is placed on its side in a reactive position. The position stabilizer may comprise a sidewall indentation that reduces the internal volume of the cup and keeps the cup from rolling when placed on its side.